One-Way Tables

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A one-way table is distinguished from a two-way table (described in the
next lesson);
because the data entries in a one-way table
refer to one variable, whereas the data entries in a two-way
table refer to two variables.

Frequency Tables

When a one-way table shows frequency counts for a particular
category of a categorical variable, it is called a
frequency table.

Below, the bar chart and the frequency table display the same data.
Both show frequency counts, representing travel choices of
10 travel agency clients.

Choice

Frequency

USA

5

Europe

3

Asia

2

Relative Frequency Tables

When a one-way table shows relative frequencies (i.e., percentages or proportions)
for particular
categories of a categorical variable, it is called a
relative frequency table.

Each of the tables below summarizes data from the bar chart above.
Both tables are relative frequency tables. One table
shows relative frequencies as a proportion, and the other table shows relative frequencies as a percentage.

Choice

Proportion

USA

0.5

Europe

0.3

Asia

0.2

Choice

Percentage

USA

50

Europe

30

Asia

20

Test Your Understanding

Problem

Twenty first graders were asked which color they liked best - red,
green, or blue. Their responses appear below.